Army, NPA clash in Surigao del Sur
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 23 (PIA) – The
bayanihan team under 2nd Special Forces Battalion stationed in Barangay Bitaugan,
San Miguel, Surigao del Sur was reportedly fired upon by undetermined number of
armed men believed to be members of the lawless New Peoples’ Army (NPA) under
Guerilla Front Committee 21B (GFC 21B) around 9:20 a.m., Wednesday.
The team was previously deployed in Barangay
Bitaugan an indigenous people (IP) community and a known NPA-influenced
barangay purposely to conduct peace and development activities and facilitate
the delivery of basic services in partnership with IP leaders, local government
unit of San Miguel, government agencies and other stakeholders in the province.
Troops are on defensive posture due to the
Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) against NPA. SOMO took
effect starting today, Dec. 23, 2015 and will end up to Jan. 3, 2016. The
unilateral implementation of SOMO to the NPA demonstrates the government’s
commitment and sincerity to promote peace in spite of conflicts with the
insurgent groups. This SOMO will provide opportunity for the villagers and even
the NPA in the conflict-affected areas to celebrate yuletide spirit in peace
and harmony with families and loved ones. SOMO will only cover deliberate
offensive operations against NPA but it does not prohibit the AFP to conduct
security patrols aimed to protect the communities.
The bayanihan team accordingly was only defended
themselves against NPA attacks. As of press time, another firefight was ensued
near the boundary of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
“Despite of the NPA terroristic act, we will
continue our commitment to secure the people and communities and we will adhere
and respect our commitment to SOMO,” said Col. Isidro Purisima, brigade
commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade. (NGBT/with a report from Capt. Reggie Go,
CMO-402nd Brigade/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Army, NPA clash in Surigao del Sur
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 23 (PIA) – The
bayanihan team under 2nd Special Forces Battalion stationed in Barangay
Bitaugan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur was reportedly fired upon by undetermined
number of armed men believed to be members of the lawless New Peoples’ Army
(NPA) under Guerilla Front Committee 21B (GFC 21B) around 9:20 a.m., Wednesday.
The team was previously deployed in Barangay
Bitaugan an indigenous people (IP) community and a known NPA-influenced barangay
purposely to conduct peace and development activities and facilitate the
delivery of basic services in partnership with IP leaders, local government
unit of San Miguel, government agencies and other stakeholders in the province.
Troops are on defensive posture due to the
Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) against NPA. SOMO took
effect starting today, Dec. 23, 2015 and will end up to Jan. 3, 2016. The
unilateral implementation of SOMO to the NPA demonstrates the government’s
commitment and sincerity to promote peace in spite of conflicts with the
insurgent groups. This SOMO will provide opportunity for the villagers and even
the NPA in the conflict-affected areas to celebrate yuletide spirit in peace
and harmony with families and loved ones. SOMO will only cover deliberate
offensive operations against NPA but it does not prohibit the AFP to conduct
security patrols aimed to protect the communities.
The bayanihan team accordingly was only defended
themselves against NPA attacks. As of press time, another firefight was ensued
near the boundary of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
“Despite of the NPA terroristic act, we will
continue our commitment to secure the people and communities and we will adhere
and respect our commitment to SOMO,” said Col. Isidro Purisima, brigade
commander of 402nd Infantry Brigade. (NGBT/with a report from Capt. Reggie Go,
CMO-402nd Brigade/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
